Stripe Hype Thursday Mailbag
Outside of Guard and Linebacker, what are some positions the Bengals might address with their first pick?
From another pod cast I listen to I hear that Frank Ragnow is the way to go at center and just wonder where others might grade him and is he someone that we could pick in round 2 or 3 if so I hear guard and linebacker but is what other positions may be address in these rounds
— VFrench (@Vinnmacc) April 11, 2018
There are absolutely areas that the Bengals could consider drafting instead of the offensive line or linebacker. While those have been the heavily sought after picks in most recent mock drafts, Cincinnati still has plenty of room to work on other areas as well. The interior offensive linemen group is pretty loaded this year as well so the team could take a pick in the second and then maybe bundle some picks and move back into the second later or they have two third round picks they could address it with as well.
One area of need that is still in need of help is defensive line. While the line is the backbone of the defense, there are still holes that could be addressed. The defensive tackle spot could be filled with a first round pick and is probably the most pressing need on the line. While some fans still want another defensive end, linebacker Carl Lawson will still see time rushing from that spot and defensive end Jordan Willis will be seeing a bigger role this year and could be a second-year breakout player.
Willis was drafted as a raw talent that needed some time to develop. Under Lewis, most rookies get very little playing time which is exactly what happened for Willis. He looked really good against the run and showed some real promise to look forward to after a full offseason and another preseason. Expect to see him play a bigger role this year especially if the team decides to let go defensive end Michael Johnson for cap reasons.
If they do decide defensive end is a need for defensive end Carlos Dunlap only having one more season on his contract, they have brought in some players like LSU edge rusher Alden Key. Some defensive tackles that could be a prospect for the Bengals that we have looked at so far, some of which they have visited with, is Michigan defensive tackle, Maurice Hurst. Another guy that the team has brought in for a Top 30 visit this last week is Alabama defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne.
Outside of defensive line, there are some promising prospects that could be serious considerations for the first round pick as well. Guys like Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver is a ballhawk that I would be really excited about and the Bengals like drafting cornerbacks in the first round. With safety Eric Reid not signing this week, the team is still looking for a versatile safety and could draft his younger brother Stanford safety Justin Reid.
Next: Recreating the Bengals 2015 offense
Reid looks to be a very versatile safety and has even more potential than his older brother which is saying a lot. The team wants to bring in more three safety sets next season and drafting a guy that can play anywhere on the field like Reid makes a lot of sense to be able to do that.